Here, we find ourselves at the beginning of a brand new year. How quickly the holidays have passed us by! It seems all the efforts and preparations for the celebration of the glorious birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been in vein. However, this is not the case. It is simply a part of the transition that carries us through the end of one year into the opening of another. It is a time for us to reflect on the glorious events just passed, and the impact of their meaning on our lives.

We have waited with great anticipation, and to some degree, with a modicum of solemnity throughout Advent for the wondrous birth of the Christ Child. We prepared, we pondered, and even wondered, yet again at the glories of Jesus' birth and how they have affected our lives. The season of Advent commands that we use time wisely, and reflect on the coming of the Christ Child and the impact his birth will have on our lives. Each year, it becomes more meaningful. Our reflections on the season and the reasons for it should serve in some way, to deepen our intimate relationship with God., help us to more fully express ourselves as Christians and Children of God, and fervently increase our faith and devotion to him, our neighbors, and ourselves.

Christmas brings the joy of Christ's birth that fills us with the knowledge that finally, the Messiah has come! The Savior destined to free us of sin has been born and has filled our lives with his love and light. Once again, we celebrate and share that joy with all who will partake of this holy and blessed event. In or tradition, as with many others, it is a time for special decorations, treats, and the exchange of gifts with family and loved ones to acknowledge this very special time. For us as Christians, it is a supreme opportunity for outreach to hose less fortunate, sharing with them the goodness of our lives so blessed with God's bountiful gifts.

Epiphany brings us to the great "Aha" moment that Christ is really here with us and for us, always. IT represents as well, the visitation of the Magi bearing rare and exotic gifts for the Holy Babe, gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In and of themselves, these were simple, ordinary substances, though carrying with them powerful significance ; gold has always been a substance of value, and surely at the time of Jesus' birth, a most generous offering. It represented his kingship on earth, and perhaps, the purity of his virtue.  Frankincense, a resin used even today as a perfume, and still burned as incense, was a symbol of deity. It is highly associated with prayer, the idea being that prayers are carried to Heaven on its rising smoke. The gift of myrrh, a biter oil used as an anointing oil, is primarily associated with suffering and as a symbol of Jesus' death, yet to come. In the ancient world, myrrh was frequently used as part of the burial ritual. These men of wisdom, these Magi, were also Zoroastrian priests, well-schooled in the knoledge of astromonmy and astrolgy, and traveled a great distance to find the Child of Holy BIrth. Epiphany alls us to celebrate not only the culminations of their long journey, but the truth of their find swell. It affirms for us that God's promise has been fulfilled with the birth of his Son, the Savior, who will redeem the world.

Winter is still very much upon us, but thankfully, at least so far, a snow-free one, albeit cold. It seems there is always a period of lull after great celebrations, and it is no different this year. it is simply a gentle reminder to us that we are to reflect more deeply on the purpose of Christmas, develop more fully a closer, more personal relationship with God. It is timer for us to revisit our duties as part of the Body of Christ, and work more earnestly to fulfill our obligations to them. But most especially, it is a time to genuinely give thanks for the gifts of love, God's grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit that so generously  serve to direct our lives.